Animal trap



July 10, 1923.

J. w. PRIMROSE ANIMAL TRAP 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29.

. k y 1v Ai ATTORNEYS Patented July 10, 1923.

UNHTED STATES JOHN w. rRIMROsE, or oLAaKsnALn, MISSISSIPPI.

' AN A rear.

Application filed June 29, 1921. Serial No. 481,268.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. PRIMnosn, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Clarksdale, in the county of Coahoma and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal Traps, of which the followingis a specification.

Thisinvention relates to animal or rodent traps for catching rats, mice and the like and the object thereof is to providea trap of the self and everset type, being always open for the entry of the rodent except immediately after an animal has entered and has closed the entrance opening prior to passing into the retaining chamber from the entrance chamber. V

Another object of this invention is .to provide a simple and novel mechanism for actuating the closing means for the entrance openings by means of a trip, which trip when actuated to close the entrance opening permits the animal to pass into the retaining cage or chamber, the device being free of all mechanism within the entrance chamber, thereby preventing fright of the. animal and the floor of the chamber being of wood, since it is never cold or hot to theanimals feet,

thereby lessening timidity.

A further object of the invention is to ically produced from sheet metal, wire and wood and which is not likely to get out of Working order, which is simple and which may be readily rebaited and discharged so as to empty the animals therefrom, the capacity of the device depending upon the size of the retaining chamber or cage, in view of the fact that the trap is always set for use and as above pointed out, constitutes a trap of the self set and everset type having a counter weight trigger by which each rodent controls its own destiny until caught or re-' from tained in the retaining cage or chamber which escape is impossible. o

Other and further objects of the invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art, from a consideration of the following description when taken in c'on-' junction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 11 of Figure 2 with the parts in the positions which they occupy when the entrance opening is uncovered. v

The partition 15 in Figure 2 should be closed at the back portion adjacent to the trap door 38.

Figure 2 is a plan view partly in horizontal section.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectionalview taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a front elevation showing the v entrance opening, and

Figure 5 is a perspective v ew showing the counter-weight and triggerand operating" mechanism within the trap.

Figure 6 is a detail perspectiveview'showing the partition 31 and its parts.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in

which for purposes of illustration'is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention and in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts through:

out the several views, my improved trap is shown as embodying a bottom portion 10 of sheet metal having'a flanged side portion ll,

the outer edges of the bottom lO being bent upwardly for this purpose and having at t V spaced points, inwardly extending or horizontally bent lugs 12 retaining a floor. 13 of wood or the like in position so as to extend from the front to the rear and within the I entrance chamber 14 to oneside of the vertical partition 15 dividing the device transversely andvertically. The casing is in the provide a trap which may be very economform of an open frame 16 of angle iron,

sheet metalor the like bent in right angu lar form and covered with sc'reeen or wire, mesh 17 at the top 18 and sides 19, as well as.

at the front portion 20, except that thatipor-- tion in front of the entrance chamber 14 is cut away at the bottom to provide an entrance opening 'or inlet 21, thesame terminating 7 about mid-way or otherwise of the height of the casing at said front portion and e115- trance chamber so that the lower half is open-tov permit the entrance of the animals i into the entrance chamber 14, according to v size.

The purpose of providing the entrance chamber with the floor of Wood or the like, is that the material 1s never excessively coldor excessively hotorfw'arm to the animals paws or feet, and thereby lessens timidity,

thus obviating the likelihood of the animal making its exit or backing out. Furthermore, the entrance chamber is free of all] mechanism, thereby preventing fright to i the animal. I ,c

The back portion is provided with ascreen door or closure 22 constituting the discharge door of the trap, the same comprising a frame 23 of sheet metal or the like hinged as shown at 24 to the upturned portion of the bottom at the edge of the floor and provided with means for retaining the same in a closed position at the free or upper end thereof, such fastening or catch means embodying a bail or yoke 25, preferably of V-shaped formation having the legs or extremities thereof secured to the door through,

the wire mesh or screen covering thereof, as indicated at 26 and bent at right angles from the side covered by the door, in a vertical plane, to a horizontal plane for en gagement with the top 18, the free end or back portion being doubled and bent clownwardly at right angles to the opposed sides in contact, to engage the wire mesh of the top 18 as indicated at 27. By this means, coupled with the resiliency of the wire, a spring catch is produced, which will retain the door or closure in a closed position, while permitting the same to be opened freely when desired, in order to empty the trap, discharging the animals therefrom, or to rebait.

Adjacent to the entrance end of the en trance chamber or forward end of the vertical partition 15 and in rear of the screen 17 above the entrance opening 21, said partition or vertical wall is provided with an arcuate slot or opening 28, and near the bottom thereof and intermediately of its ends with a relatively narrow arcuate slot or opening 29, the axes of said slots being disposed in opposite directions for a purpose to hereinafter more fully appear. Disposed in spaced parallel relation to the vertical wall or partition 15 which entirely divides the entrancechamber 14 from the catching or retaining chamber or cage designated at 30, is a vertical wall or partition 31 forming therewith a passage or run-way 32, said wall 31 terminating in spaced relation to the back of the closure forming the cage of the trap or casing, as above described and bent at right angles toward the partition or wall 15 to provide a vertical end portion 33, the upper portion projecting rearwardly as indicated at 34, and having a bottom portion 35 contiguous with the end wall 33 while the partition or wall 31 is bent horizontally to form the top portion 36 which is joined to the partition 15'to entirely close off the runway 32 above referred to. At the rear end of the run-way, the partition 31 is provided with the sloping end 37 at the top of which is pivoted as at 38 a swinging trap door 38 of slotted sheet metal, wires or the like so as to swing upwardly and rearwardly toward the rear closure 22, the light being visible through the openings in the trap door, which automatically drops to a closed position upon being released, and which by reason of closing at an angle inclined upwardly and forwardly or rearwardly and downwardly, prevents the return of the rodent from the retaining cage to the entrance chamber or compartment 14, after the animals have passed from the latter to the former in a manner to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Pivoted between the spaced walls or partitions 15 and 31 is a counter-weighted trigger 39 in the form of a flat plate or piece of metal of elongated formation having side flanges 40 and an end flange 41 retaining the counter weight 42 in position at the forward end thereof and eng ged by a horizontal transverse pivot 43 extending through horizontally aligned or registering apertures in said partitions or walls in horizontal alignment or in the same horizontal plane as the top edge of the opening 29 and forwardly thereof, said pivot preferably extending through openings in the side flanges or walls 40 of the trigger so that a portion of the latter extends forwardly of the pivot and is normally weighted down by the counter-weight 42 by reason of the counter-balance thus provided, and the other portion extending rearwardly where said side flange 40 and the rear end flange or wall are bent downwardly to form a retaining means for the inner end of a platform or treadle 44, as indicated at 45( This plat-form or treadle is preferably of wood and extends at right angles to the trigger proper, but constitutes a part thereof, while the opposite or free end thereof which extends outwardly is disposed through the arcuate slot or opening 29 and extends into and across the entrance chamber or compartment 14 spaced from the :loor 13 thereof, the bait being disposed in rear of the treadle, as indicated at 46. although the treadle may be used for this purpose if desired to act as a lure for the mice. rats or other rodents or animals of like kind, to enter the trap through the entrance open-- ing 21 but in such a manner that the bait would be inaccessible, instead of disposing: the same upon the bottom in rear of the treadle or platform 44 where the bait is accessible.

The trigger is normally weighted down at its forward end by'ineans of the weight 42 overbalancing the-rear portion and treadlc or platform 44 and the latter is adapted to be tread upon by the animal so as to depress the same to release the trigger in order that the animal may pass from the entrance chamber 14 to the retention chamber 30. For this purpose, the trigger is provided with an upstanding lug 47 at one side disposed adjacent to the inner face of the partition or wall 15 and having the upper end thereof beveled at its rear edge to form a taper and a narrow upper edge. This up right or trigger is preferably formed with the sheet of metal producing the trigger and llrl llf

extends from the flange or-sidewall 4O im mediately in the rear of the concaved 1111161 end wall of the arcuate slot or opening 28 as clearly shown-inFigures 1 and?) of the.

drawings. Pivoted between .the wallsor partitions and3l is :a'tread'or run-way d8 of angular or obtuse-angled formation and pivoted attheangular or bent portion. thereofras indicated atfit). v in the form of a pin extending. through the opposed sides or flange s of the tread-or I runway as, the oppositesidesot which .are

turned upwardly lilte the trigger 39,fso as to add rigidity andstrengththereto, and 1s L provided with opposed registering apertures for receiving the pivot pinor pintle which is disposed through corresponding llOl'lZOIl tallyallgned apertures 1n the partitions or walls 15 and 31 concentric touthe inner outer edge walls of theslot or opening 28 and between and above the slot or opening 29 .and. the pivot 43,.and the trigger and treadle or plattorm soas to extend substantially the t'ull length of the run-way 32, -as clearly shown in Figuresl, 2 and '3 of the drawings. A collar or sleeve51 is provided on" the pivot 49 between the side flange 50 disposed toward the-partition or division wall 15 and between 50 and. 31 as clearly shown in Figure 2, thus holding .the tread orv flooring portion 418 spaced from said partition, while the forward end of the tread is provided with anend Wall 52 and the oppositeend is freely open to the exit end of the runway adiacent tothe trap door 38.

At oneside of the treads $8 adjacent to the forward end thereof, the same is provided with an opening or recess 53 and an arcuate portion extending downwardly at right angles therefrom as indicatedat'5'4t constituting means for partially covering in its closed position the arcuate slot or opening:

28 and for uncovering the same, aslwell'as producing the bottom. shoulder by reason of the outwardly'proj ecting portionor flange 55 beneath which the upright or trigger lug 47 normally engages to hold, the tread in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. At the.

or extension flange 55 thus holding the tread. raised at itsjfront end and lowered at its rear end incontact with thebottom portion 35 ofthe run-way,the portion 5a thusicovery ing the lower portionpot the slot or. opening,

28 constituting an escape opening-irom the This pivot is entrance chamber. into theiru'n way andretaining chamber or cage, except the upper portion thereof, which isxlett open oruncovered in order to prevent the animaltrom beingpinched'orcaught, as will be apparent vfrom aninspe'ction of Figure 3; of the draW- v ing. The closure formed by the extension or wing 56-w11l thus .abe raised and uncover the opening 21. Therefore,upon theanimal entering the .trapthrOughxthe opening 21" andwalking orftreading'upon the platform or treadle Mgthe latter Will be depressed-sow as to actuate the trigger onits pivot e3 in such-a mannerias to. release the upright or lug 4-7 from beneaththe. flangeorshouhv der 55 of the tread, thelugor'uprigl1tswing-,.

ing rearwardly in its; oscillatorymovement toa set positionforwardly displaced, when released, thereby automatically setting the for this purpose but-automatically returning trap andproducing a trap of the seltset and automatically set type. ,When the tread isv released, it will drop by its weight. at'the' forward end thereof, the same being counter- -weighted by imeans of the portions 54 and .56 of. said ends, and thus dropping to close the opening 21 and uncovering the-opening orfslot 28. The animabmay then-pass through the opening 28 onto the run-way .andnponthe'tread48,1inallymaki1ig escape through thetrap door 38 into the retention chamber or compartment dQsignatedBO' from discharge door 22 isopened by disengagement of the catch, as previously described. Upontheftrigger being released as above" explained, the upright'gor lug at? will at its:v

-whence, no, escape is possible, punless thet forwardae'dgeengage the shoulder 55 at the."

. reari end thereof, i and prevent further. rock-1 ingof the trigger or depression'oI the tread E or runway-4L8 andaslong asv an animal is upon the tread L8 torwardlyot the pivot 49:

the portion 54 will uncover. the slot. or open-J ing 28. However, as the animal passes rearwardly up'onthe; tread, the rear portion; thereof will be lowered from its raised po- V l- ,thereot, thedoor 56will remain closediand sition rearwardly of thefpivot 49 and the portion thereof disposed in angular irelation with respect thereto at the forward 'portion will be raised, thus closing the run-way at the front andcovering the. opening 28,;

when the 111 oru ari 'htat will a ain enga e I I I b C b 7 Li D beneath the; shoulder 55 and-prevent the re turn of the: animal to the entrance chamber.

will thus be effectively caught! It may also be pointedjout that the counterweight-oi 1 v H thetrigger 39 1s tobe-so weightedthat The only escapebeing to: the rear through I I the trap door, itwlll be seen that the animal" animal. can throw it, if said. animal cannot likewise set the trap by its own we-ight." =--r In viewot the foregoing, it is thoughtthat the operationiofwtheidevice will be readilyzf understood and in yiewof the simplicity and practical value that it will readily commend itself to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is LIn an animal trap, a cage comprising a frame having a reticulated covering, a metallic bottom and a non-metallic flooring, said cage being provided with an entrance opening in one side and extending partly across the same, a door closure for the back of the cage, means for holding said door in a closed position, a covered run-way dividing the cage to one side of the door opening, a trap door controlling the exit thereof, said runway'dividing the cage into an entrance compartment and a retaining compartment, a trigger for holding the door open, and a tripping device cooperating with the trigger to disengage the latter whereby the door will close, said trigger comprising a pivoted runway connected to the door, a portion connected to the trip and having a lug engaging the pivoted portion to hold the same in position with the door open and adapted to release the same to permit the door to close, said run-way having spaced walls, one of said walls covering the vertical area of the cage, a partition forming a part of said runway, and having an opening therein leading from the entrance compartment to the retaining compartment, and a door member having a covering portion cooperating with said opening.

2. In an animal trap, a cage comprising a frame having a reticulated covering, a metallic bottom and a non metallic flooring, said cage being provided with an en trance opening in one side and extending partly across the same, a door closure for the back of the cage, means for holding the door in a closed position, a covered I'Ullway dividing the cage to one side of the door opening, a trap door controlling the exit thereof, said run-way dividing the cage into an entrance compartment and aretaining compartment, a trigger for holding the door open, and a tripping device co-operating with the trigger to disengage the latter whereby the door will close, said trigger comprising a pivoted run-way connected to the door a portion connected to the trip and having a pivoted portion to hold the same inposition with the door open and adapted to release the same to permit the door to c-lose,-'sail run-way having spaced Walls,rone of said walls covering the vertical area of the cage, a partition forming a part of said runway, and having an opening therein leading from the entrance compartment to the retaining compartment, and a door member having a covering portion co-operating with said opening, said trip being fixed to the trigger and extending laterally through the partition into;- the entrance chamber and lug engaging the across the same for movementadjacen't' to the floor thereof, said trip when depressed serving to move the trigger on its pivot" portion uncovering. the opening, said door when open being raised and the covering' portion leaving the upper portion of its opening uncovered, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. An animal or rodent trap comprising acasing, said casing being closed on-all sides and having a front entrance opening, a rear closure door and means to hold the same in a closed position, a partition dividing the casing transversely and forming "an entrance compartment, in the rear of the opening and a retaining chamber at the op posite side thereof, a second partition spaced from the first partition and having an outlet into the retaining cage, a trap door controlling said outlet and opening in one direction only into the casing and closed against opening in the opposite direction,

a pivoted angular tread between thepartitions having a side opening and a shoulder portion, a door closure for the entrance opening and having a rearwardly bent vertical portion connected to the tread at the shoulder portion, there being a slot through the first partition partly covered by'said vertical portion, a weighted trigger pivotally mounted between the partitions beneath the tread, and having an upright to engage the shoulder and hold the tread elevated, said upright'being movable in'the slot, said tread when raised serving to open the closure door and close the vertical portion except at the topof its opening, said first .partition having a second slot and a treadle extending laterally from the opposite end of the trigger and movable through the slot whereby upon the same being depressed by the animal treading thereon, the

arm will be disengaged from the shoulder to permit the tread to move downwardly at i the front andupwardly at the rear against the'escape of the animal from the cage after the opening in the partition first named and over said tread.

4. In an animal trap, a cage comprisinga frame having a reticulated covering, a

metallic bottom and a non-metallic flooring, said cage being provided with an entrance opening in one side and extendingpartly across the same, a door closure for the back of the cage, means for holding the door in a closed position, a covered run-way dividing the cage to one side of the door opening,

a trap door controlling the exit thereof,.

said run-way dividingthe 'cageinto'an entrance compartment and a retaining com passing from the entrance compartment to partment, a trigger for holding the door open, and a tripping device co-operating with the trigger to disengage the latter whereby the door will close, said trigger comprising a pivoted runway connected to the door, a portion connected to the trip and having an upright lug engaging the pivoted portion to hold the same in position with the door open and adapted to release the same to permit the door to drop and close by its weight when the trip is depressed.

5. An animal or rodent trap comprising a casing, said casing being closed on all sides and having a front entrance opening, a rear closure door and means to hold the same in a closed position, a partition dividing the casing transversely, and forming an entrance compartment in the rear'of the opening and a retaining chamber at the opposite side thereof, said entrance compartment having a wood flooring, there being an I opening through the partition, a wall spaced from the first Wall and forming a runway, an angular tread pivoted between said walls,

said runway having an overhanging bottom portion at the back upon which the tread rests when in position to, close the front of the runway, a trapdoor for the rear end of the run-way, simultaneously actuable doors for said entrance opening and said last named opening, a trigger adapted to hold said doors downwardly in position and when actuated to release the same so that the first door will close when the latter door is open, said tread adapted to drop beneath said partition opening, and

a wooden trigger arm extending into the entrance compartment for releasing the trigger and doors when the animal treads thereon. v

' JOHN W. PRIMROSE; 

